Desert oasis with casinos and attractions in West Wendover
Wendover is a tale of two cities. While its eastern side offers a small-town atmosphere in Utah, this Western desert community provides attractions, nightlife and well-established casinos. Its neon-lit cowboy fixture, Wendover Will, welcomes newcomers to Nevada, with local bars and bustling restaurants on sunny Wendover Boulevard. With canyons and mountain landscapes like the Bonneville Salt Flats, West Wendover is an oasis reminiscent of a little Las Vegas with a well-connected community. "People live here because of the simplicity. We have jobs available, and the cost of living is low," says Natalia Loll, an area local and real estate agent at eXp Realty. " The community is family-connected, and people care for each other. If someone needs help, everyone comes together to support them."
Xeriscape gardens and sunny carports
Many houses have fenced-in backyards, xeriscape gardens and sunny carports. Housing styles include Spanish Revival and ranch-style architecture, with stucco siding and tile roofs. Manufactured homes are common. Homes rarely go on the market, and only two single-family homes sold in 2024. "Whatever we have available sells quickly because there are few options, and too many people want to be here," Loll says. "On the Nevada side, you don't have to pay a state income tax." Based on limited sale data, the median sale price is $360,000, slightly lower than the U.S. median home price of about $415,000. While single-family homes make up the large majority of properties, West Wendover is a renter-friendly area.
While natural wildfires are rare in Elko County, they occur due to lightning strikes and human-initiated events. Heat waves are also prevalent during the summer, with average temperatures in the low 90s during July and August.
Casinos, concerts and the Bonneville Salt Flats International Raceway
The Bonneville Salt Flats International Raceway is ideal for speed trials due to its flat, mineral-coated surface, about 10 miles west. Speed Week includes six days of racing and land speed events in early August, which draw more than 20,000 fans annually. "We get international tourists for the races in the summer," Loll says. Aside from racing, the Bonneville Salt Flats is an off-roading area that offers scenic views and photo opportunities. Locals can also visit the West Wendover Airfield, a historic World War II Air Force base that played a role in the Manhattan Project. This community has five casinos: Rainbow Hotel Casino, Montego Bay Hotel Casino and Peppermill Hotel Casino. The Peppermill Concert Hall is an auditorium that hosts well-known acts and live performances.
The heart of local restaurants on Wendover Boulevard
Wendover Boulevard is the shopping and dining center, lined with casinos, hotels and restaurants. "On the weekends, we have a good flow of people at the casinos, and the hotels are full," Loll says. The Steak House in Rainbow Hotel Casino serves prime rib and seafood dishes in a space decorated with sculptures. The Salt Flats Café is a local Mexican restaurant serving Chile Verde plates in a diner with local memorabilia. The community's primary supermarket is Smith's. Another option is Kalachis Meat Market, a local convenience store with Mexican grocery items.
Practical programs at Elko County School District
West Wendover Elementary School earns a C grade from Niche and has a four-day week, closed on Fridays. West Wendover Middle School has a C-plus curriculum that engages problem-solving skills for real-world scenarios. West Wendover High School receives a C and offers extracurricular activities like academic competitions, a mentorship program and a robotics club.
Golf courses and scenic landscapes
The Toana Vista Golf Course is an 18-hole layout with desert scenery and green fairways grazed by antelopes. Scobie Park has playground equipment shaded by trees. People can head to the West Wendover Recreation District building, which has a gym, a game room and Little League baseball fields. The Silver Island Mountains Back Country Byway is about a 55-mile driving loop with limestone mountains, off-roading areas and campgrounds. "We have nature, and people can drive four-wheelers in the mountains. It's beautiful," Loll says.
Interstate 80 connects to Salt Lake City
Shuttle services, like LeBus, make daily trips to specific casinos, although West Wendover’s public transit is somewhat limited. The nearest emergency room is Mountain West Medical Center in Salt Lake City, approximately 110 miles east. Interstate 80 is the local expressway. Elko, the county seat, is about 105 miles west on I-80, and Salt Lake City is around 120 miles east. The Salt Lake City International Airport is roughly 115 miles east, offering international passenger flights.
